Archive for extras

.:DJ Low Key – About You… (Stream/Download):.

.:DJ Low Key – About You…(stream/download):.

Was inspired to start this mixtape a while back, then decided to shelve it, but that seemed like a waste. Anyway, “About You…” is an hour or so of mainly R&B/soul vibes for your streaming/downloading pleasure. Don’t expect it to be a permanent fixture – so enjoy, download it if you dig it & have a great day y’all!!!

Things To Do In Denver Intro
Donwill “Laura’s Song”
SiR “The Real”
Bilal “For You”
Miguel “Gravity”
Brandy “Wanna Be Down (Esta Remix)”
Ab “Kissing You”
BJ The Chicago Kid “Honey”
Solange “Champagnechroniknightcap”
Glide In Denver Interlude
Dam-Funk & Leon Sylvers “Glyde 2Nyte”
MNEK “In Your Clouds”
Total Science, Darien Brockington & Phonte “Wastin’ Time (Kaidi Tatham Remix)”
The Foreign Exchange & Median “Maybe She’ll Dream Of Me (Pure P Remix)”
Beyoncé & Ghostface “Summertime”
Mary J. Blige “Bring Me Joy”
Teedra Moses “Kisses Never Taste So Sweet”
Quadron “Favorite Star”
Banks “Warm Water (Snakehips Remix)”
J*Davey “Slooow” / “Slooow (Trackademicks Remix)”
Erykah Badu “Kiss Me On My Neck”
Davina & Raekwon “So Good”
Breezy Lovejoy “Blindfold”
Thump In Denver Outro

Goodness Hot Sauce!!! A perfect mix of spicy & sweet for all occasions, now available at the party and coming soon to finer retail stores in the Denver area!

.: Sedrick Avenue – “GDNSS (produced by DJ SpydaT.E.K.)”

The CRL CRRLL “Cheers” Video! Directed, filmed & edited by Black Sock Productions!!! It’s the first single from The Solution Tape #2 & first release on The Solution Records!!!!!!!!!

2014’s been an UNBELIEVABLE year for The Solution and we’re thrilled to be closing it out in grand fashion, teaming up with longtime friend of the party and one of our favorite artists in Denver, CRL CRRLL, to release “Cheers” aka the first official single from The Solution Tape #2 (finally!!!) and first release on The Solution Records (!!!!!!!). CRL’s been coming to the party for almost all of the 7+ years we’ve been rocking and makes great music with a unique sound, so when it came time to finally get everything together for our upcoming mixtape, The Solution Tape #2, it only made sense to reach out to him for an exclusive song to feature on the project.

Over the Summer, DJ Low Key met up with CRL CRRLL for a fateful studio visit that led to “Cheers” getting picked out of a batch of incredible music for the mixtape and next thing you know everyone in Denver was loving this song that only DJ Low Key & DJ Lazy Eyez were spinning, whether they heard it at The Solution on a Friday night, saw CRL perform it live, caught it when we DJed a brunch gig or whatever. At that point, we began to realize that “Cheers” was something extra special and decided it deserved as much of a push as we could give it. That turned into us teaming up with Black Sock Productions and Jonathan Martin to shoot a video at Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends and The Solution, which turned into us deciding that “Cheers” was so good that it needed to get full-on single push, a physical pressing (coming in early 2015!) and so on. It’s funny how something can organically grow so fast, but it’s great to witness and be a part of. And with that said, for your listening pleasure, we’re super proud to present to you, a new celebratory anthem, right on time for New Year’s Eve and all your best moments of 2015; CRL CRRLL “Cheers”, the first single from The Solution Tape #2 (coming 2/2015) & first release on The Solution Records!!!!!!!

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“Cheers” video directed, shot & edited by Jonathan Martin for Black Sock Productions. “Cheers” produced, written & engineered by CRL CRRLL. Video filmed on location at The Meadowlark during both The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez and Goodness w/DJ Low Key & friends. Still photos by Armando Geneyro aka Knower Of The Ledge. Outro song: CRL CRRLL featuring Von Pea (of Tanya Morgan) “Cruise”. Stay tuned for The Solution Tape #2 in February 2015 and CRL CRRLL’s Ghostwaves double-EP in early 2015 and don’t miss The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez, every Friday night at The Meadowlark in Denver, CO!!!

P.S. Don’t forget to close out the year at The Solution’s New Year Eve 2014 Party at Beauty Bar Denver, featuring a special appearance by the legendary DJ Chris Karns (World DMC Winner, US Thre3 Style Finalist & Master Of The Mix Runner Up), The Solution’s own DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez, a special “Cheers” live performance by CRL CRRLL to break in the new year & more!!!

P.P.S. In case you missed The Solution Tape #1 (chock full of exclusives and live audio from the likes of Von Pea & Donwill of Tanya Morgan, Exile & DJ Day, Kooley High, Moe Green, Mike Baker & 1 O.A.K. of The Honor Roll & a whole lot more!!!), check it out RIGHT HERE! Enjoy!!!

#CheersYou

Friday, 10/10 -> CRL CRRLL “Cheers” video shoot at The Solution w/DJ Low Key, Lazy Eyez & special guest Sounds Supreme at The Meadowlark! Introducing ZenOne, photos by Knower Of The Ledge & more, shouts to Black Sock Productions too!!!

FRIDAY, 10/10 -> We’re super excited to welcome a few friends down for an extra special Friday night of The Solution. First off, we’ll be teaming up with Black Sock Productions to shoot some footage for CRL CRRLL’s upcoming video for the INCREDIBLE song “Cheers”, which you’ve probably heard us play by now as it happens to be one of our favorite songs out and the first single from the upcoming Solution Tape #2.

On top of that, we’ll also be welcoming Solution co-founder and party rocker extraordinaire DJ Sounds Supreme back to join party residents DJ Low Key & Lazy Eyez on the turntables. It’s always a blast when Sounds comes back for a guest spot and 10/10 should be no different. Last but definitely not least, we’re excited to announce that Goodness favorite ZenOne is coming on board as a new party sponsor. As usual, Knower Of The Ledge will be in the place making you look good with his party photos (check our Instagram and Facebook for proof) and we’ll be rocking all the best in hip hop and lots more at The Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St). 21+ / 9pm / No cover until 11pm, only $5 after.

P.S. The patio heaters are on and ready for Fall, so we shouldn’t miss a beat as the seasons change!!!

Please take a quick minute to vote DJ Low Key in the 2014 Westword Music Showcase…I’m nominated for “best hip hop DJ” & a vote for DJ Low Key is a vote for quality music!!!

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(Illustration by Noah Van Sciver, see me on there?)

.:CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR DJ LOW KEY FOR “BEST HIP HOP DJ” IN DENVER:.

SATURDAY, 6/21 from 4-5PM -> It’s Westword Music Showcase time and I’m nominated again (shouts to the nominating committee, I appreciate the recognition & Westword, Denver’s premier music/arts/entertainment magazine)!!! It’s an honor in itself to be nominated, but everyone wants to win. With that said, please do me a favor and head over to the Westword Music Showcase site, find the “DJ – Hip Hop” category towards the bottom and vote DJ Low Key. Thanks again y’all, I appreciate the support. Catch me spinning on Vinyl’s rooftop from 4-5pm actual WMS event, it should be a blast!!! Last but not least, props to all the dope DJs around town, both those nominated and not!

.:CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR DJ LOW KEY FOR “BEST HIP HOP DJ” IN DENVER:.

Flashback: 2014 SX Solution Showcase & Austin Goodness at La Barbecue recap, complete with video, pics & quotes from the featured artists!!!

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Time flies. Last year’s SX704 Solution Showcase at La Barbecue seems like just yesterday and that still seems awesomely surreal (from DJing for the Pharcyce to the crazy dope lineup to the unbelievably great food), so when the opportunity to throw a whole day’s worth of events came up this year, it was no-brainer. And so me and some friends (primarily France, DJ Trackstar & Dayta), set out to program twelve hours worth of Saturday fun at the biggest music festival in the country, bringing a mix of both Goodness & The Solution type flavor to the acclaimed BBQ spot. When everything was said and done on the morning of 3/15, the lineup was stacked with ridiculously talented MCs, DJs, singers and producers from all over the country and looked like this:

Extra stacked lineup, busiest day of SXSW and we were greeted by rain and fog on the morning of the event; not ideal at all. Regardless, we trudged through, set up tents over the turntables and stage and not too long after things got going, with the spot packing out quickly as Austin Goodness started with sounds from some of the best DJs in the country. From there, the weather cleared up, things somehow ran (mostly) according to schedule, despite a short break for a blown mixing board (which somehow got replaced in an under an hour, I credit good musical karma) and when the event wrapped up shortly after midnight, well over 30 top notch acts from NY to LA to Saint Louis to Denver and more had performed for hundreds of people.

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Choosey & Exile rocking at The 2014 SX Solution Showcase via NBC San Diego

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CRL CRRLL’s awesome recap of his SXSW & the party

Over the course of the day, I met a ton of ton of new people and the main thing they said was that the event had one of the purest, best vibes they saw all week and that the day carried on the classic SXSW tradition of independent artists and musical discovery (I was even put on to some new favorites at my own event…LOL). To me and everybody involved that’s what it’s all about and we couldn’t be happier with how things turned out, especially when the overwhelming sentiment of SXSW 2014 is that it’s become too commercialized for its own good. With that said, see what the artists involved had to say about the event and check out pics of the day below (as well as even more pics here):

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“The Austin Goodness party had the best vibes all week. Oh, and the best BBQ!” – DJ Sober (Dallas / Black Milk’s DJ)

“Epic…Inspiring…Great feeling to be around so many great DJs Goodness, grooving, and [I] loved the crowd’s reception of us” – DJ Dozen (Denver)

“Goodness, the best way I could spend digesting the best food in Austin.” DJ Expo (Los Angeles)

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“Amazing group of musicians playing records in the rain is the best way to start off SXSW at the Austin Goodness…Don’t forget the coleslaw!” – DJ Clockwork (Los Angeles / Mac Miller’s DJ)

“Good eats, good beats and vibes” – Dayta (Houston)

DJ_Theory_at_Austin_Goodness

Deejay Theory (San Francisco)

“It was really nice to walk up to a fully relaxed situation with all of the craziness I had been experiencing before that day at SXSW. Turning left instead of turning up is just what I needed after playing intense party set one after another. Vibe at The [Austin] Goodness was on point and very welcoming. 5 stars.” – DJ A-Minor (Charlotte, NC)

“The show was dope. Good food and good performances. I got to see folks I never heard of killing it.” – YC The Cynic (New York)

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“The SXSW Solution Showcase with DJ Low Key is good people, good music and good food = a great time” – Exile (Los Angeles)

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“I had a ball rocking at The SX Solution Showcase with my Dirty Science brethren. The food and the talent on the bill were top notch!! I’m already looking forward to next year’s bill! – Johaz of Dag Savage (Los Angeles)

 Donwill_and_DJ_Low_Key_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“Between Goodness & The SX Solution, there was only one place you needed to be on Saturday at SXSW, La Barbecue. Great vibes, fantastic music and amazing food.” – Donwill of Tanya Morgan (New York)

“Goodness & The SX Solution Showcase were like a marathon of hot shit. The original purpose of SXSW, at its best, in one location.” – Von Pea of Tanya Morgan (New York)

Weekend_Money_at_The_SX_Solution_Showcase

“”SXSW is always dope cuz it’s like Mardi Gras in Austin a whole week. Mobbin’ all over the city running into other artists & fans from all over the country, rocking for new fans. The SX Solution Showcase was especially dope cuz everybody who performed not only killed it, but showed love to everybody else who rocked.” – Ness of Weekend Money (New York)

Tef_Poe_and_Black_Spade_at_The_2014_Solution_Showcase

“I was honored to be there. My city was turned. God Bless you [DJ Low Key] for giving me a shot!! We just wanted to show and prove.” – Tef Poe (St. Louis)

Nick_Whiteout_Menn_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“The event was the highlight of the week as far as shows are concerned, we had the opportunity to perform at four shows during SXSW and the La Barbecue show was the best one; most responsive crowd, best sound system, best food lol I thoroughly enjoyed myself, as well as all of the other acts I witnessed while I was out there. Also, much appreciation to DJ Low Key for showing STL love, it was great to see so many of my homies whom I feel are the best representatives of what dope music from STL sounds like, all on one bill, all down in SXSW, it was just a good feeling, and I appreciate that.” – Nick Menn (St. Louis)

Theophilus_Martins_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“The SXSW Solution Showcase was my most important experience this year. It was a grand opportunity to perform new music and connect with fans and friends alike. Thanks for having me Low Key.” – Theophilus Martins (Los Angeles)

Yonas_Michael_at_the_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“Good music, good people, good food & beer. Felt like I was rocking in my family’s backyard” – Yonas Michael (Los Angeles)

Slangston_Hughes_at_2014_The_SX_Solution_Showcase

“The SX Solution Showcase was an unbelievable experience! The opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of new faces froma cross the U.S. for the time, in addition to Statik Selektah, Dee Woods (of Danity Kane fame) and Tanya Morgan was beyond awesome and very motivational.” – Slangston Hughes (New Orleans)

Spec_Boogie_at_the_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“I got put on to a lot of acts I’d never heard of and a lot of people got put on to me. I heard a lot of people complaining about how SWSX is so corporate now, but the big, overhyped shows were easy to ignore. I spent most of my time at smaller showcases like The Solution jawn. The food at La Barbecue was so good I couldn’t eat any meat for a week after I left Austin and now almost a month later I’ve just begun eating beef again. I knew I wouldn’t find anything comparable in NY.” – Spec Boogie (New York)

CRL_CRRLL_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“Hyped up parties and sold out shows and The SX Solution Showcase was one of the biggest highlights of my SXSW. Not only was there good food at SX Solution Showcase, but it got so hype later that night the almost broke some tables. Low Key put on one of the most unique events I visited in Austin and I got to see some pretty amazing ish! Here’s to The SX Solution Showcase!” – CRL CRRLL (Denver)

The_Bodega_Brovaz_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“The SX Solution Showcase was great opportunity for us to network, everybody was there!” – Travii of Bodega Brovas (Dallas)

Catch_Lungs_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“One of my favorite memories from this year’s SXSW was rocking at The Solution Showcase at La Barbecue. Got to meet a lot of great people and the food was some of the best BBQ I’ve ever had. Huge shout out DJ Low Key for making it happen.” – Catch Lungs (Denver)

Turner_Jackson_and_Rob_Forreal_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“The [SX] Solution Showcase at La Barbecue was amazing. I had the opportunity to party with people that I’ve never met. I knew that they would dig me because they dig Low Key. The pulled pork sand which was off the chain too! ” – Turner Jackson (Denver)

Family_Affair_at_The_2014_SX_Solution_Showcase

“Family Affair’s experience with DJ Low Key at SXSW was everything that you could imagine as a upcoming artist. We were treated with the utmost respect even when our personal DJ was under the weather for show time. DJ Low Key without any hesitation assisted F.A with our show. The beer was unlimited it seemed like and the food was phenomenal! What I noticed different is that after every performance there was somebody ready to give them a hot plate of bbq as they exited the stage. We had our crew with us and we enjoyed ourselves so much we just stayed at the event almost til closing. As a band member we always pride ourselves on how the venues cater to our product and I can say this was one of the most humbling events with so much talent on one roster. Family Affair is looking forward to next years event without a doubt.” – Repp of Family Affair (St. Louis)

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MC Tree (Chicago)

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Boonie Mayfield & Audiopium (Colorado)

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Ken Rebel (New York)

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Black Spade (St Louis)

Me, celebrating an unforgettable event with some magically delicious ribs the next day.

HUGE shouts to everyone who came out, all the artists involved, La Barbecue’s amazing staff, Chisum aka The Archduke of Austin, Eric “France” Maitrepierre, Dayta, DJ Trackstar, Potholes In My Blog, Upslope Brewing Company, Acrylick, Akomplice, Leann Mueller Photography, Lone Star Beer, & whoever else I’m sure I’m forgetting! See y’all at SXSW 2015!!!

.:Stream & download Blu – Soul Amazing Part Three (mixed by DJ Low Key):.

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I first met Blu back in June 2007, in the few months between when his debut with Exile, Below The Heavens, first circulated in small circles online and when it came out for retail sale. I had randomly come across The Narrow Path EP the year before and it completely blew my mind. I put “Narrow Path” on my Mixing In Action #2 mixtape that Fall and to this day, I never get tired of that perfect song (it was first song after the intro & Von Pea’s ridiculous “So Low Key” freestyle on that tape, a testament to how much I was digging it). By the time Below The Heavens leaked, I was already sold on Blu & Exile being one of the most exciting things in hip hop and the album exceeded all my expectations, giving me feelings similar to what I imagine a DJ in 1994 would have felt the first time they listened to Illmatic or what it felt like the first time cats heard Paid In Full in the late 80s.

I was instantly obsessed with Below The Heavens and when I saw Blu was on tour with labelmates The Strange Fruit Project in early Summer 2007 as an unbilled opener (a pretty common situation when you’re a young cat trying to gain experience and pay dues), I reached out to have perform at my (at the time) fledgling party, The Solution w/DJ Low Key & Sounds Supreme. Blu linked me up with his manager at the time, the great Jon Kim, and we worked out the rather humble details of the show. The night of the show/party, I picked up Blu & Jon Kim at Denver venue Cervantes and brought them back to the rooftop of The Shelter (now Bar Standard), where Blu rocked the best set I’ve ever seen from him, full of the hunger of a young rap prodigy trying to make his mark with his debut album.

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Not too long after that, I had the random opportunity to help make a video happen for Blu & Exile’s fantastic “Blu Collar Workers”; flying out to LA and teaming with France aka Eric Maitrepierre, Exile Ramirez & Aaron Rosenbloom to put together a video which to this day has amassed almost 750,000 views as a relatively low budget video from a tiny indie album that defied all odds on a label that most die-hard hip hop heads aren’t even familiar with (Sound In Color). Around that time, Jon Kim also asked me to make a mixtape for him and Blu to sell on tour, which ended up getting shelved when Blu signed his Warner deal (womp womp, I was disappointed, but it was completely understandable based on the situation).

Since then, I’ve caught up with Blu a few times at SXSW over the years (including the performance with him & Tanya Morgan at a Nah Right/Smoking Section showcase above) and stayed a big fan of his music. Then, at the beginning of the year of the year, mutual friend and Portland tastemaker Kenny Fresh (of Fresh Selects fame) reconnected us after Blu asked him for a DJ recommendation. Based on our history, Blu was with it and the results of the project are on bandcamp now, for your listening pleasure. I know I was put on to quite a lot of impressive songs, slept-on gems and extra obscure joints when Blu sent over the tracks, hopefully the mixtape works out the same for you! Enjoy!!!

.:Download Blu – Soul Amazing Part Three (mixed by DJ Low Key):.

Rest in peace DJ Elroy Boogie…He was one of Houston’s best DJs and inspiration for everyone “fighting the good fight”…

Houston DJ Elroy Boogie’s passing last night has weighed heavier on me than I would have ever expected from the ten or so times we kicked it over the years and I think it’s because he was one of the most unique people I’ve met through DJing.  On that note, I wanted to speak on how I knew him and how he inspired me.

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I first met Elroy Boogie when I helped Red Bull throw a Thre3 Style DJ battle in Houston a few years ago.  They had me helping organize some of the event and one of my main responsibilities was to coordinate everything with the competing DJs (invite the DJs to the battle, explain all the details to them, etc).  All the DJs were gracious and excited about the opportunity when I reached out, but man, there was an overwhelming enthusiasm in Elroy’s voice when he repeatedly thanked me for the opportunity and told me what an honor it was to be chosen to compete.  I just took it as him being excited for the battle and kept preparing for the event in Denver before flying out to Houston.  Once I got to Houston and started meeting all the DJs, I realized that it wasn’t just that Elroy was excited about the invite to the battle, but this dude had a love of life that was different than anyone I’d ever met.  That whole Houston trip and every time I ever saw Elroy after, he was always full of a uniquely happy energy; the kind of person who makes everyone around them have a better time, whether at dinner, while DJing or just sitting on a front porch bullshitting.

I ended up spinning the opening set for that Houston Thre3 Style as well, and during my hour long set of random, obscure jams (aka not wanting to play any hits that the competing DJs would be playing later), Elroy and another great Houston DJ, Dayta, kept coming up to the booth, familiar with the random jams I was spinning and excited to hear someone playing them in a club besides themselves.  I’ve made a ton of unbelievable DJ friends in Houston over the years, but the three of us clicked in a different way, due to our more random taste in music, and a year later I found myself hanging out with Dayta and Elroy a ton on a pre-SXSW Houston visit.

Elroy had a love of life that was an amazing thing, but the other thing I appreciated about him most was the type of DJ he was.  Not only was he nice on the tables, but he was one of the rare breed of modern day DJs who are actively trying to improve the quality of club music and their local scene, what I call “fighting the good fight” and not just playing it safe every time they spin.  On nights like Tighten Up Tuesdays, he’d be regularly working with other DJs, taking chances to bring new and creative ideas to the Houston scene and as an out of towner, I always loved seeing and being inspired by what Elroy was doing in Houston, whether in person or seeing what him and the crew would upload from their parties, whether it was flyers, pics or video.  DJs like Elroy are more important to their cities than ever and I witnessed first hand the good things he was constantly doing in Houston.

It weighs heavy on me to know that next time I go to Houston I won’t be able to catch Elroy smashing the turntables or cracking a hilarious goofy joke at Dayta’s house after the club.  With that said, it’s been beautiful to see Houston showing their love for Elroy, may we all hope to impact our cities like he did while “fighting the good fight”.  Hopefully his legacy will continue to inspire other DJs to play the music they believe in, create the kind of parties they’d want to go to and help develop their own scenes.  Much respect to Elroy’s friends and family, The Kracker Nuttz crew, the homies Dayta and Klinch (who threw a ton of top notch parties with Elroy, no pun intended) & the Houston scene, I can only imagine how much this hurts for y’all.  Rest in peace Elroy.

DJ Low Key – So What! First Monday Mix – August 2013…Catch So What! w/me, DJ K-Nee & Big Styles on the third Saturday of every month at Beauty Bar Denver!!!

Don’t miss So What! w/me, DJ K-Nee & Big Styles, on the 3rd Saturday of the month at Beauty Bar Denver…More info on the So What! facebook page…

.:DJ Low Key – So What! First Monday Mix – August 2013 (click to stream/download):.

Ab “You Used To Love Me”

Mar “Inglewood”

TiRon & Ayomari “Haven’t You Heard?”

Napoleon Wright II “Michael”

Michael Jackson “Rock With You (The Reflex Revision)”

Sampha “Without”

1 O.A.K. “Yaya”

Thundercat “Oh Sheit, It’s X!”

Krystal Klear “Tried For Your Love (Hudson Mohawk Rework)”

Big Boi, Monche & Scar “Raspberries”

Quadron “Favorite Star”

Chance The Rapper “Chain Smoker”

BONUS:

.:DJ Low Key – So What! First Monday Mix – June 2013:.

.:DJ Low Key – So What! First Monday Mix – May 2013:.